HARGEISA (SD) – The Somaliland Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Development has prohibited airlines from accepting tickets issued through Somalia’s Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) system for flights departing from Hargeisa and Berbera international airports, in a move that could affect airlines, travel agencies and passengers.

The directive, numbered MCA& AD/OM/D/02/2026, applies to both new and existing tickets issued through Somalia’s BSP system, including return tickets. The ministry said tickets for departures from Somaliland’s airports must be sold through channels approved by its authorities, including airline websites, airline sales offices and travel agencies licensed in Somaliland.

Under the order, airlines have been instructed to review their agreements with travel agencies and ensure that their partners meet Somaliland’s licensing and approval requirements. Agencies that have not yet complied have been given until October 31, 2026, to regularize their status.

The ministry said that beginning November 1, airlines may enter into ticket sales and distribution agreements only with agencies that satisfy Somaliland’s requirements. It also directed airlines to review their ticketing, reservation and distribution arrangements and inform passengers about the changes to avoid confusion or disruption.

The Billing and Settlement Plan is administered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and enables travel agencies to sell tickets on behalf of participating airlines through a common system. It facilitates payment collection and settlement between travel agents and airlines.

Somalia’s federal government has described the reactivation of its BSP system as a measure intended to improve civil aviation services, strengthen relationships between airlines and travel agencies, and enhance transparency in ticket accounting. Somaliland, however, opposes using the Somali system for flights departing from its airports, maintaining that aviation and ticketing operations must comply with regulations set by its own authorities.

The decision comes amid continuing political and administrative differences between Somaliland and Somalia’s federal government. Somaliland declared its independence in 1991 but has not received broad international recognition as a sovereign state. The disagreement over BSP reflects the competing authorities’ positions on aviation administration and the regulation of travel services.

The order could have implications for travel agencies using Somalia’s BSP system, airlines operating in Hargeisa and Berbera, and passengers holding tickets issued through the platform. The ministry’s inclusion of existing and return tickets means that travellers may need to confirm whether their bookings remain valid for departures from Somaliland.

The formal response from IATA and the airlines involved remains unclear. The practical impact of the directive will depend on how carriers and travel agencies adjust their ticketing arrangements and how the ministry enforces the new requirements.

The dispute over the BSP system highlights how the broader political disagreement between Somaliland and Somalia can affect practical matters such as airline ticketing, passenger travel and commercial agreements. Although BSP is an international ticketing and settlement mechanism, Somaliland’s directive focuses on which agencies are authorized to sell tickets for flights departing from its airports.

For airlines and travel agencies, the immediate challenge is determining how to comply with the ministry’s licensing requirements while managing existing bookings and agreements. Passengers holding tickets issued through Somalia’s BSP system—particularly return tickets—may face uncertainty until airlines clarify how the order will be applied.

The directive also raises questions about passenger protection, including whether affected travellers will be offered alternative tickets, refunds or other arrangements. Until IATA and the airlines provide further guidance, passengers planning to depart from Hargeisa or Berbera should confirm the status of their tickets directly with their airline or travel agency.

The broader significance of the decision lies in its potential to reinforce Somaliland’s separate regulatory framework for aviation services, while adding another point of friction with Somalia’s federal government. The extent of the disruption will depend on implementation and the response of the international aviation industry.